Scope Parallax setting is inaccurate

[ancjr]

First ever scope with parallax knob and am adjusting it for known distances. 50 yard known distance is in focus at scope setting of 35 yards? It's a Vortex 4-16x44. Admittedly may be doing something wrong here or not realizing it's a known idiosyncrasy.
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[sloughfoot]

Parallax adjustment is not focus. Focus is handled in the traditional way. Adjusting parallax does not change focus.

 

[Kneedeep87]

Parallax is when you move you head around the eyepiece on a stable fixed scope and the cross wonders off of the target.

 

[gmcttr]

While I understand what the two previous posters are saying, the "parallax" adjustment on the many Vortex scopes and the other brands I have/had also adjusts the focus. I'm not even sure what the "traditional way" would be.

There is an additional adjustment ring on the eyepiece to focus the reticle.

To my eyes with my reticle focus setting the parallax/focusing knob markings are usually slightly off for focus but not anyways near 50 yards at a marked 35.

If you can focus from as close as the scope is supposed to, to infinity, it may not be a big deal. If not, it needs warranty service. You may want to warranty it anyway but I would talk to Vortex first.

 

[bwframe]

First ever scope with parallax knob and am adjusting it for known distances. 50 yard known distance is in focus at scope setting of 35 yards? It's a Vortex 4-16x44. Admittedly may be doing something wrong here or not realizing it's a known idiosyncrasy.
...

Don't get hung up on the numbers on the dial. They are just guidelines.

The parallax dial reading varies with your ocular lens adjustment and variable magnification level. None of mine are "on" so to speak.

If you are really set on quick known range repeatability, paint marker dots make decent reference points.

 

[Kneedeep87]

If you type in "adjusting parallax on a scope" into Google you'll get a ton of videos explaining everything you need to know.

 

[ancjr]

I intend to test it more thoroughly tomorrow to see if it will function at all distances as was suggested.

 

[Bill2905]

Do some quick Google research on scope parallax so you have a good understanding of what you are attempting to accomplish.

As already mentioned, pay no mind to the yardage numbers on the parallax knob.

A quick and dirty way to adjust parallax is to simply turn the knob until the target image is focused and clear. For a more precise adjustment, do this;

1) Turn the parallax knob until the target image becomes clear.

2) Without touching the rifle, look through the scope and get your target image in view

3) Move your head slightly side to side and up/down. If the reticle moves relative to the target, adjust the knob slightly one direction or another and try again.

4) Repeat until the reticle and target stay fixed relative to each other when you do move test. Once this occurs, you have removed parallax from the system.

I have two scopes where the image is not perfectly clear after setting the parallax to where the reticle and target stay fixed. Sometimes that bothers me and I just set the knob to where the target image is clear and call it close enough.

 

[Tombs]

First ever scope with parallax knob and am adjusting it for known distances. 50 yard known distance is in focus at scope setting of 35 yards? It's a Vortex 4-16x44. Admittedly may be doing something wrong here or not realizing it's a known idiosyncrasy.
...

The markings on scopes for parallax is very very approximate.
If you want accurate ranging through a side focus, you need the big parallax focus wheel, and to manually label it yourself at all known distances.

It's not super accurate but it'll ballpark you.

 

[Hawkeye7br]

The markings on scopes for parallax is very very approximate.
If you want accurate ranging through a side focus, you need the big parallax focus wheel, and to manually label it yourself at all known distances.

It's not super accurate but it'll ballpark you.

This. More people need to understand this.

 

[natdscott]

Don't get hung up on the numbers on the dial. They are just guidelines.

The parallax dial reading varies with your ocular lens adjustment and variable magnification level. None of mine are "on" so to speak.

If you are really set on quick known range repeatability, paint marker dots make decent reference points.

Listen to this, and do it. Get the FINE Sharpee paint pens, use Den. alcohol and a swab to clean first, and apply small dots or dashes.

If you like clean lines, small pieces of painters tape can get you a clean line.

 

[ancjr]

The tape and marking idea sounds ideal for me. I eventually wanted to do similar for my elevation turret as well.

 

[jaymark6655]

Focus should be handles by adjustable eye piece, set this up first.
1. Point at white wall look through scope, close eyes quickly open eye and determine if reticle is blurry.
2. Close eyes and adjust eye piece, open and see if better or worse than previously.
3. Make appropriate adjustments until reticle is sharp.
4. Tape this adjustment.
Note: your eye can quickly adjust to focus the cross hairs, you need to open eyes and determine if glass lens have focused the crosshairs without the muscles of your eye being involved. This will also reduce eye fatigue if you are looking through the scope for a long time. Also, alignment of lenses matter so having the image not pass through the exact center of a lens on your glasses can screw up

Parallax is focusing the target image on the crosshair plane. If they are not on the same plane their will be movement as your head moves (impossible to shoulder rifle in exact same place every time). If cross hairs where properly focused as described above, this should occur when image is brought into focus. This can also be checked by slightly shifting head. When parallax is properly adjusted, the cross hairs should NOT move around on the target. Also, alignment of lenses matter so having the image not pass through the exact center of a lens on your glasses can screw up reticle/target alignment. For this reason I usually shoot without glasses and adjust the focus appropriately.

The markings on the knob are close but likely not accurate. Some NightForce scopes just have dots, no numbers. Also should be noted that the click value on knobs is probably not exactly what they say they are (even on a $6000 optic), your cross hairs might not be exactly true the the scope body, the horizontal and vertical parts of the reticle might not be exactly perpendicular to each other.

 

[ancjr]

Took a good while testing it last evening in a rest and confirmed that I could get it to function from 20 yards to infinity. I only have access to marked distance targets out to 150 yards, however.